Viaduct work hinges on weather

If the weather improves, three westbound lanes of the H-1 freeway airport viaduct will be closed from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday for repairs, according to the state Department of Transportation.

Drivers should expect delays as the speed limit near the project will be reduced to 15 mph to minimize vibrations and help the concrete cure.

Lane closures will be from the airport onramp to the Kamehameha Highway-Aloha Stadium-Arizona Memorial offramp. All ramps will remain open.

Motorists can use alternate routes, including the Moanalua Freeway or Nimitz Highway, to avoid the work.

Sunday's project is part of a $9.1-million job to repair potholes on about three miles of the H-1 freeway airport viaduct between Middle and Valkenburgh streets.

Pier repairs to be ready for ferry

KAHULUI » State workers plan to complete mooring work at a Kahului Harbor pier by Monday, days ahead of the Hawaii Superferry's new Oahu-Maui cruise startup Thursday.

State Transportation Deputy Director Michael Formby said the concrete is scheduled to be poured today for one of the mooring posts and it should be ready for use by Monday.

The Hawaii Superferry was scheduled to start its Oahu-Maui operation yesterday, but wave surges in the harbor pulled out two mooring posts from the pier during unusually high surf Monday.

The posts had been attached to a barge used by the Superferry to load and unload vehicles.

Superferry officials have been giving customers with reservations through Dec. 6 the option of receiving a refund or rebooking their travel.

Student journalism sought

The Honolulu Star-Bulletin wants to hear from schools interested in producing the paper's weekly education page, which features articles and photos from high school journalists.

"The Education Page is a fantastic way for the community at large to learn the goings-on of our local schools as well as an excellent platform for students to share their accomplishments and concerns," said Jeff Finney, who runs the Star-Bulletin's Newspapers in Education program.

If chosen, schools must submit two articles, compile a fact box and interview and take photos of six to 10 students for a question-and-answer feature.

Grants approved for school repair

A nonprofit organization has approved $363,000 in grants for repairs and maintenance at 11 Hawaii public schools, but four of them will have to wait for funding to come through.

The Hawaii 3R's board of directors gave conditional approval for four elementary schools -- Ben Parker, Keolu, Hickam and Kaneohe -- because the group has only $250,000. But work at those schools will start as soon as money comes in, 3R's Executive Director Ryan Shigetani said yesterday.

The seven schools receiving grants, which will be used to renovate restrooms, playgrounds and baseball bleachers and install school signs are Farrington and Kailua high schools and Waihee, Maunawili, Enchanted Lake, Aliamanu and Salt Lake elementary schools.

The 3R's program (Repair, Remodel, Restore) relies on funding from the state and federal government as well as private sources. The organization estimates it has saved the state more than $22 million since 2001.

Police, Fire, Courts

Star-Bulletin staff

NEIGHBOR ISLANDS

Man charged in purse snatching

A 19-year-old Kailua-Kona man was charged with second-degree robbery for allegedly snatching the purse of a 50-year-old tourist.

Jeffery Sargent was charged Nov. 29 and is being held at the Hawaii Correctional Center on $5,000 bail.

Police said two suspects on a mo-ped grabbed the tourist's purse and knocked her down on Nov. 27. Sargent was arrested an hour after the robbery.

HONOLULU

False HECO worker arrested in assault

Police arrested a 56-year-old Salt Lake man for allegedly breaking into a woman's apartment under the guise of an electrical worker and fondling her.

About 6:15 Wednesday morning, a 42-year-old woman was showering in her Honolulu-area home when an unknown man allegedly entered the residence.

Police said the suspect stated he was working for Hawaiian Electric Co. and that there was a fire in the complex. The man then allegedly touched the victim inappropriately.

Police were called and the man was arrested on suspicion of first-degree burglary and fourth-degree sexual assault.

Video shows teen starting blaze

A 17-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly starting a fire in an apartment complex on Tuesday.

About 2:15 a.m. Tuesday, a fire started in the lobby of a large Salt Lake apartment complex. After the fire, which caused no injuries, police said the resident manager reviewed video recordings that showed the boy starting the fire.

The suspect was arrested later that afternoon on suspicion of third-degree arson.

WEST OAHU

Boy suspected of 4 robberies

Police arrested a 16-year-old boy Tuesday who allegedly robbed four teens at knifepoint and held them captive.

About 3 p.m. Aug. 20, the teen was at Sugar Mill skatepark in Aiea when he robbed four boys, two aged 14 and the other two aged 15, on separate occasions within one hour, police said. After the robbery, the suspect allegedly made the boys stay at the scene until releasing them an hour later.

Police arrested the teen on suspicion of four counts each of first-degree robbery and kidnapping.

LEEWARD OAHU

2 fires in Nanakuli do $5,000 damage

Firefighters assisted with two Nanakuli fires on Wednesday that both caused about $5,000 in damage, with one found to have been started by a candle.

A fire at a split-level home at 89-839 Nanakuli Ave. started at 8:46 p.m. in a first-floor storage room. Firefighters had the small fire under control within 30 minutes. The cause is still under investigation.

About 7:45 p.m., firefighters extinguished a fire in a two-story Nanakuli townhouse that was found to have been started by a candle. The electricity was out in that area at the time.

Residents and neighbors were able to contain the fire to the bedroom of 87-182 Helelua St., Apartment 3, said Honolulu fire Capt. Earle Kealoha. The fire was under control within 10 minutes.

Residents used garden hoses to help control the fire.

The Fire Department gave these warnings about using candles in a news release:

» Candle wax can spill and ignite if the candle is left to burn down.

» Avoid using candles during power outages, and supervise children and pets when using candles in the home.